Man in life-threatening condition after reports of near-drowning at Calgary Bow River

A man is fighting for his life after reports of a near-drowning at the Bow River in the city’s northwest Friday.

Keith Stahl, a battalion chief with the Calgary Fire Department, says they received calls at around 4 p.m. for a man in distress by the Angel’s Café in Montgomery.

He says upon arrival, members of the public were seen providing CPR to the man on the shoreline.

“Calgary Fire Department crews, as a precaution, dispatched our aquatic rescue team in case there were multiple victims, which there were not, and we did not end up using our aquatic rescue team at the scene,” Stahl says.

EMS tells CityNews the man was taken to hospital following the incident in life-threatening condition.

Stahl says this is an important reminder of the importance of river and water safety.

“The river is a fun place to go with friends and family, but it can also be a very dangerous place,” Stahl said.

“So utilization of personal floatation devices and water safety protocols is of utmost importance at all times.”